Podcast Summary: The New Yorker: Poetry Episode: David St. John Reads Larry Levis
Release Date: April 23, 2025
Host: Kevin Young, Poetry Editor of The New Yorker
Guest: David St. John, Poet and Editor

Introduction

The New Yorker: Poetry podcast, produced by WNYC Studios and The New Yorker, features readings and conversations with notable figures in the poetry world. In the April 23, 2025 episode titled David St. John Reads Larry Levis, host Kevin Young welcomes David St. John, an esteemed poet and the editor of Swirl and Vortex, a forthcoming collection of Larry Levis's poems scheduled for 2026. David brings with him a wealth of experience, including numerous poetry collections and prestigious awards such as the Rome Fellowship and the OB Hardison Prize from the Folger Shakespeare Library.

Reading of Larry Levis's "Picking Grapes in an Abandoned Vineyard"

Timestamp: [04:00]

David St. John begins the episode by reading Larry Levis's poignant poem, "Picking Grapes in an Abandoned Vineyard," originally published in The New Yorker on November 10, 1980. The poem narrates the reflective memories of a vineyard worker, interweaving personal loss, community bonds, and the enduring impact of past experiences.

Notable Excerpts:

• “I still have a scarlet where a friend sliced open my right index finger once in a cutting shed...” ([04:09])
• “At 17, I discovered Parlier California, with its sad topless bar and its one Main street and its opium.” ([04:09])
• “Nothing's wrong, you're just dying.” ([14:43])

Discussion on Larry Levis's Poetic Themes and Style

Timestamp: [02:12] - [18:19]

Key Points:

• Personal Connection: David expresses a deep personal connection to Larry Levis’s work, highlighting their shared upbringing near Fresno and their long-standing friendship since David was 18.

• Themes of Memory and Ghosts: Larry’s poetry is characterized by the recuperation of the past and the presence of ghosts—both familial and environmental. David emphasizes that these ghosts are not ephemeral but material and intimate, offering a healing reflection on past experiences.

• Cinematic Quality and Structure: The poem's structure, characterized by its singular stanza and use of timestamps, lends a cinematic feel, allowing readers to vividly visualize the depicted scenes and emotions.

• Complex Characters: Figures like T and Angel Dominguez are portrayed with depth, embodying aspects of community and personal struggle. T’s joviality contrasts with Angel’s somber demeanor, illustrating the nuanced human experiences within the vineyard.

Notable Discussion Points:

• David describes Larry’s ability to create an omniscient presence within his work, blending past and present seamlessly ([12:26]).

• The poem serves as an elegy, reflecting on personal loss and broader themes of fate and survival ([18:19]).

• The narrative technique allows for multiple intertwined stories, providing a rich, layered understanding of the self and the community ([13:33]).

Editing and Compiling Larry Levis's Collected Poems

Timestamp: [20:23] - [23:47]

David shares insights into his role as the editor of Swirl and Vortex, Larry Levis's collected poems. He explains the archaeological process of compiling the collection, which involved meticulous excavation of archives, analyzing drafts, and making editorial decisions that stayed true to Larry’s original voice.

Key Points:

• Collaborative Effort: Assisted by associate editors James Ciano and Liz Johnson, David navigated Larry’s increasingly illegible handwriting and extensive drafts to unearth previously unpublished works like "Prayer" and "Homage to Willie Mays".

• Deep Understanding: Years of friendship allowed David to intuitively understand Larry’s intentions, facilitating a faithful and respectful compilation of his work ([22:06]).

• Preservation of Legacy: David aims for the collection to cement Larry’s legacy, presenting his work in a way that highlights his achievements and unique voice ([23:23]).

Reading of David St. John's "The Shore"

Timestamp: [28:53]

David transitions to sharing his own poetry by reading "The Shore," which was published in the May 9, 1977 issue of The New Yorker and later became the title poem of his second book. The poem explores themes of memory, disillusionment, and the fluid boundaries between land and sea, reflecting David’s personal experiences both on the California and Atlantic shores.

Notable Excerpts:

• “The Shore so the tide forgets as morning grows too far...” ([28:57])
• “What we forgive. If you wake soon wake me.” ([32:55])

Discussion on "The Shore" and Its Themes

Timestamp: [32:55] - [42:31]

Key Points:

• Duality of Locations: David explains his fascination with the contrasting experiences of the California and Atlantic shores, using the shore as a metaphor for boundaries and impermanence.

• Personal Relationships: The poem delves into complex relationships, particularly the dynamic between fathers and children, highlighting feelings of envy and betrayal ([36:24]).

• Use of Second Person: The second-person narrative creates an intimate address, drawing readers into the personal and emotional landscape of the poem ([34:31]).

• Symbolism of Parentheses: Parentheses symbolize hope and inclusion, suggesting that despite loss and impermanence, there is a space for forgiveness and renewal ([38:49]).

Notable Discussion Points:

• Impermanence and Memory: David emphasizes that impermanence is a central theme, with the shore representing the ever-changing nature of experiences and relationships ([34:31]).

• Emotional Depth: The poem captures the nuanced emotions involved in relationships, such as the tension between forgiveness and lingering resentment ([42:03]).

• Hopeful Ending: Despite the poem’s exploration of loss and complexity, it culminates in a hopeful note, urging awakening and renewal ([40:11]).

Conclusion

The episode concludes with Kevin Young and David St. John reflecting on the profound nature of poetry as both a means of personal expression and a tool for preserving and honoring the past. David’s contributions as both a poet and an editor highlight the enduring impact of Larry Levis’s work and the intricate connections between memory, place, and identity.

Additional Information:

• "Picking Grapes in an Abandoned Vineyard" and "The Shore" are available on newyorker.com.
• The anthology A Century of Poetry in The New Yorker, 1925-2025 is available for purchase.
• David St. John's forthcoming book, Swirl and Vortex, will release in 2026, featuring previously unpublished poems by Larry Levis.
• David's most recent book is Prayer for My Daughter.

Notable Quotes:

• "Larry grew up among migrant farm workers, and this was an important part of his life, an important part of his work." — David St. John ([02:12])
• “Poems can help enfold them and bring them back into a present of reflection.” — David St. John ([10:01])
• “The parenthesis on the sand, on the beach is really hopeful.” — David St. John ([38:49])
• “We all have so much to forgive, and not only each other, but ourselves.” — David St. John ([42:18])

This episode offers a deep dive into the intertwined worlds of poetry, memory, and personal history, showcasing the enduring legacy of Larry Levis through the skilled hands of David St. John.